Bob Jacob was a man of many names. Robert was for his passport; he was known as “The Pope” at Orient Bay; Jake was the moniker used by his college roommate; Uncle Bob was reserved for his nieces and nephews; but the most common was “my friend, Bob.” For Bob had a unique talent for gathering friends even after a casual meeting on the beach in St. Martin, in the neighborhood, on a cruise, or at a hunting camp in rural Louisiana. Each new friend was attracted by his innate generosity and warm hospitality.

His family and friends now mourn his passing. Cancer waged war upon him three different times. Due to his tenacity, courage, and a great deal of stubbornness, he was victorious over the prostate and esophageal cancers but the tumors that attacked his brain proved invincible.

Dylan Thomas’s words best describe his fight: “Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Bob was blessed to marry Mim (Miriam Trimble Jacob), the love of his life for 36 years. Their time together was as happy as any couple could wish, filled with trips, good food, good wine, and family and friends with which to share. Mim was his tireless care giver for the endless long nights and days of his battles. With a laugh, Bob freely admitted that he wasn’t always the easiest patient.

Bob attended Manhasset High School (Manhasset, NY), Class of 1955.  He proceeded to attend Washington and Lee University earning a BS in Commerce, Class of 1959.  Bob earned Dean’s List status and belonged to Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity.  Service was part of his nature. He served his country as a First Lieutenant in the US Army (Field Artillery) and the world of business for thirty-two years as an IBM executive.  While living in Atlanta, Bob was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.  He also served on the Board of Directors for:  Council for Battered Women, American Cancer Society, United Cerebral Palsy and Planned Parenthood.  Bob was a former member of Atlanta Country Club and Sea Pines Country Club (Hilton Head, SC).  He also belonged to The Heritage Foundation – Legacy Society.

Bob was born in Western Springs, IL.  He was preceded in death by his parents (Claude Winbon Jacob and Morris Elizabeth Rowland Jacob of Ft. Worth, TX), his brother (Jerry Rowland Jacob of Greenwich, CT), and two children (Gary Kirk Jacob and Thomas Claude Jacob).  In addition to Mim, he is survived by his beloved Napa and one daughter, Susan Jacob Hart.           

Bob’s wishes included no public or private service or memoriam.  Instead, he requested for friends and family toast a glass of good wine in his memory.

Mim wishes to thank the physicians and nurses of both Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville) and St. Joseph’s / Candler Hospital (Savannah) for the gentle care they provided. She also wishes to thank Dr. Joe Kenneth Griffin and Dr. John A. Pablo for their valiant efforts.

Contributions in Bob’s name may be made to Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville) or Hospice House of Savannah.

You were a good man, Bob Jacob, and we are most blessed that you were in our lives.